ORLANDO, Fla. – In the early morning of June 12, 2016, a gunman stormed the Pulse Nightclub, killing 49 people, physically injuring 53 others and psychologically wounding countless others.
Since then, the community, former nightclub owner Barbara Poma, the City of Orlando, Orange County and the now-dissolved OnePulse Foundation have all grappled with how to remember those lost and honor the survivors.
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Below is a timeline of the major events that have elapsed over that time period in regards to efforts to create a memorial and museum.
Sept. 14, 2016 - City of Orlando announced it would pay $4,518 to erect a new fence around the Pulse nightclub on September 19. The fence will feature a commemorative screen-wrap with local artwork that would serve as a memorial to the victims and survivors of the shooting.
Nov. 8, 2016 - City of Orlando announced its plans to purchase the Pulse nightclub later that month for $2.25 million and turn the site into a memorial for the victims and survivors of the shooting.
December 2016 - Pulse owner Barbara Poma decides not to sell the nightclub to the city due to emotional attachment
May 4, 2017 – Barbara Poma holds news conference to announce the OnePulse Foundation and a task force to gather input from the community.
June 2017 – Orange County Regional History Center opens memorial of items left at Pulse Nightclub after the shooting on year earlier
Sept.21, 2017 – OnePulse Foundation issues a survey to get community input into the creation of a memorial
Oct. 9, 2017 – First town hall meeting held to get community input into Pulse memorial. Architects from other memorials in attendance.
Jan. 27, 2018 – OnePulse Foundation community meeting on the memorial plans
Feb.22, 2018 – OnePulse Foundation releases renderings of memorial
Feb.25, 2018 – OnePulse Foundation begins series of community talks about the memorial
Feb. 26, 2018 – Construction on the “temporary” memorial at Pulse begins.
May 8, 2018 – “Temporary” memorial opens at Pulse site.
Oct.31, 2018 – Orange County government approves $10 million in tourist tax dollars to OnePulse Foundation museum project
March 25, 2019 – Competition announced challenging architects to come up with memorial plan for Pulse memorial project
July 16, 2019 – Petition started by Christine Lienonen, mother of Christopher “Drew” Leinonen who died in the 2016 shooting, to stop the museum/memorial project
Sept. 16, 2019 – OnePulse Foundation purchases new land for the museum
October 7, 2019 – Six finalists chosen in architect competition for Pulse memorial
Oct. 31, 2019 – WINNER of architectural competition announced
Dec. 5, 2019 – Rep. Darran Soto proposes a national memorial site for Pulse
June 27, 2020 – U.S. House of Representatives approves national memorial for Pulse
May 12, 2021 – Bill approved to declare Pulse national memorial
June 25, 2021 – President Joe Biden signs Pulse National Memorial Site bill
Nov. 7, 2021 – Man arrested for setting “temporary” memorial on fire
June 28, 2022 – Deborah Bowie tapped as new executive director for OnePulse Foundation
April 4, 2023 – OnePulse Foundation parts ways with Nightclub Owner Barbara Poma
May 2, 2023 – Pulse memorial site is moved after OnePulse fails to reach agreement with Poma
July 20, 2023 – OnePulse terminates lease for nightclub property after temporary use permit expires
Aug. 31, 2023 – OnePulse stops paying operating costs at nightclub site
Oct. 18, 2023 – Mayor Buddy Dyer announced city’s plan to purchase Pulse property
Oct. 27, 2023 – OnePulse Foundation cancels museum project, giving acquired land back to Orange County
Nov. 13, 2023 – OnePulse Foundation Executive Director Deborah Bowie resigns
Nov. 22, 2023 - OnePulse Foundation votes to dissolve organization
Dec. 18, 2023 – City of Orlando creates new Pulse Memorial Fund
May 4, 2024 – Osceola County reveals plans to build Pulse dedication in NeoCity
June 7, 2024 – City of Orlando announces new advisory committee, which includes list of victims’ families, survivors
July 24, 2024 – First meeting of City of Orlando’s Pulse Advisory Committee